Skaldowie - Od Wschodu do Zachodu Słońca (1970)

Artista: Skaldowie
Álbum: Od Wschodu do Zachodu Słońca
Año: 1970 / 1991
Género: Rock progresivo / Rock psicodélico 
Duración: 37:55
Nacionalidad: Polonia

Lista de Temas:
1. Sarabanda
2. Od wschodu do zachodu słońca
3. Katastrofa
4. Czasem kochać chcesz
5. Zawieja
6. Mateusz IV
7. Prawo Izaaka Newtona
8. Nadejdziesz od strony mórz
9. Cisza krzyczy
10. Sarabanda

Alineación:
- Jacek Zieliński / vocal, violín
- Andrzej Zieliński / Hammond, piono, órgano, vocal
- Jerzy Tarsiński  / guitarra
- Konrad Ratyński / bajo, vocal
- Jan Budziaszek / batería


Que bueno que nuestro amigo Bob esté tan afilado, ahora biene con otro álbum con ese gran grupo que fue Skaldowie, que para algunos imagino será algo nuevo, o desconocido mejor dicho ¿cuantos grupos y álbums excelentes existirán que nosotros desconocemos?. Por lo pronto, yo conozco varios álbums argentinos que son prácticamente desconocidos y estoy a su búsqueda desde hace años, y que son realmente muy buenos. Sin ir más lejos, muchas de las cosas que publiqué en este blog son más o menos de ese estilo, recuerdo por ejemplo lo que me costó conseguir el "Mímame bandoneón" de Alas, fueron años de búsqueda, o los álbums de Eppurse Muove, etc. etc.
En esta oportunidad los regalos vienen directamente desde Polonia y aunque específicamente no escuché este álbum, al pertenecer a este grupo es toda una garantía de buena calidad e imaginación. Sobre ello, nos habla el web Manticornio cuando dice:

Desafortunadamente, SKALDOWIE es una banda muy territorial y hallar su música de este lado del planeta es complicado. Aunado a lo anterior, la información que parece valer la pena está en polaco. Conocer su historia y su sonido no es tarea fácil, por lo que adquirir un álbum de ellos presupone un riesgo. No hay versiones en distinto idioma. No obstante, si te gusta el progresivo temprano (ese rock que suena ácido, psicodélico, que experimenta con la electrónica y tiene una fuerte orientación al Hammond), los cuatro álbumes aquí enlistados pueden resultarte interesantes.
1970 - Ty
1972 - Wszystkim Zakochanym
1972 - Kryywań, Kryywań
1976 - Stworzenia Świata Część Druga

Manticornio

Sin embargo, he encontrado algunos comentarios en Progarchives, que paso a copiar luego del prócimo texto que nos dejó Bob.
¡Saludos a los seguidores del blog en el día del Moog!
moe

Skaldowie band was set up in 1965 in Krakow. In 1967 released their first full length album "Skaldowie". On their first three albums from the years 1967, 1968 and 1969 the band presenting pop music, baroque pop, folk rock and rhythm & blues.
At the end of August and September 1969 the group went to concerts in the USA and Canada. She returned them with Hammond organs, and in January 1970 recorded the amazing LP "Od Wschodu do Zachodu Słońca", by some considered the best LP of the group.
The most consistent and perhaps the most thoroughly satisfying statement by the group.
It is on this album that they managed to come up with the finest merge of (ba)rock and lush pop elements + some jazz influences. The Hammonds are prominently featured, but their role is mostly evocative (unlike Zieliński's virtuoso soloing on Krywań). The compositions are ALL great , and only Mateusz IV is irrevocably marred by the over pretentious lyrics portraying a pseudo-religious country freak. Despite the undeniable stylistic cohesion and perfect running order, the album manages to showcase Skaldowie's versality: we have got here majestic vocal harmonies (Nadejdziesz od strony mórz) and soulful brilliance of Jacek Zieliński's solo singing (Czasem kochać chcesz), ethereal piano (Zawieja) and heavy Hammonds (elsewhere), some airy arrangements (Mateusz IV) and some very solid performances by the rhythm section (Cisza krzyczy). Practically each member of the band shines throughout, even guitarist Jerzy Tarsiński, ever overshadowed by the keyboards, has something strong to play in Cisza krzyczy's coda. Brilliant.

(by thelarch - Rateyourmusic)

Bob

Many feel this was the first real good album by SKALDOWIE and a little taste of greater things to come in "Krywan,Krywan". Hard not to agree with these sentiments. In fact i quite like this album a lot. It's pretty straight forward sounding but there's something very charming and appealing about it. I like the prominant Hammond organ and vocals on this one.The songs are well crafted and commercial sounding. At times i'm reminded of the sixties in a good way. This is a talented group of musicians no doubt about it.
"Sarabanda(Intrada)" is a short intro track with vocal melodies and orchestral sounds. "Od Wschodu Do Zachodu Storica" has a laid back sound as reserved vocals join in. It starts to pick up with trumpet. I like it ! It settles back again as contrasts continue.This moves me. "Katastrofa" features organ,vocals,drums and percussion. It gets fuller then settles back as contrasts continue. Spoken words 2 1/2 minutes in. Drums,bass and organ then lead. "Czasem Kochac Chcesz" is another good track with trumpet,organ and drums standing out. Vocals too of course. I like when it kicks in after 1 1/2 minutes. Again contrasts continue.
"Zawiesa" is poppy with backing vocals and trumpet. The brass reminds of CHICAGO. "Mateusz IV" opens with the sound of birds,spoken words and someone walking around. Organ comes in then the music. Great sound here. It calms right down with floating organ and spoken words before kicking in again. Nice. Contrasts continue. "Prawo Izaaka Newtona" has a mellow intro with vocals. A change before a minute as piano,bass and drums with vocals take over. Much better and kind of jazzy. Trumpet joins in. "Nabejoziesz Od tromy Morz" opens with organ as reserved vocals join in. It builds quickly. Nice bass. It settles again then picks back up. Good song. Vocal melodies and organ end it. "Cisza Krzyczy" has lots of organ,bass and drums and the vocals sound great. I like the instrumental ending. A reminder of what was to come. "Sarabanda(Final)" is short epic outro piece.
Some really good songs here and well worth checking out.

John Davie

And also it’s their first album on which Andrzej Zieliński used Hammond Organs. With a very good effect! Actually, the Hammond work is ubiquitous on this record.
The Album starts and ends with a rendition of a classical piece – “Sarabande” by Arcangelo Corelli, arranged by Andrzej Zieliński. It forms a kind of a buckle which makes the album look complete.
All other songs have warm tone and strong melodies. You should also notice vocal harmonies of the three singing band members. These vocal harmonies are a trademark of Skaldowie. You can’t hear too much guitar sounds though. This instrument is rather absent on this record.
Overall, this is a good album for hammond lovers as another reviewer stated before me. It’s also a harbinger of what was to come later on “Krywań, Krywań”.

Bartlomiej Slazak

Well, in my opinion the Polish progheads could use a boost after the shameful 1-3 home defeat against Finland (my wife was very pleased with the Jari Litmanen performance). And I am pleased that Tuzvihar has added this fine band to the site! This review is a huge dive into the progrock history, the LP was released in 1970 and I got the CD release as a promo for Dutch progrock paper SI Magazine in june 1993, mainly because they knew I am a Hammond freak. And there is a lot of Hammond work on this album, it is very omnipresent on most of the 10 compositions (including two renditions of classical works), especially in the track Katastrofa we can enjoy the powerful and distinctive sound of the Hammond organ by Andrzey Zielinkski in all its splendor. Another remarkable member is Jacek Zielinsk as a singer and trumpet playe. There is not very much guitar on this album, I had hoped for a bit more interplay with the organ. The sound of Skaldowie is a warm and energetic blend of rock and classical, the digital remastering has been done perfectly!

Erik Neuteboom

www.myspace.com/skaldowie
www.skaldowie.pl